IBA & LSAMP March 2017 Newsletter

IBA & LSAMP Newsletter IBA students present posters during the sacnas conference in Long Beach, CA At left, sophomore Zoe Horak presents her work from the LaLumiere lab to fellow scientists. At right, senior Maria Nuñez shares her work from the Shea lab.

IBA sent four students to SACNAS on Oct. 13-15, 2016 in Long Beach, CA. The presenters were senior Maria Nuñez, junior Jorge Moreno, sophomore Zoe Horak and sophomore Callie Shannon.

IBA Program Manager, Brinda Shetty, accompanied them.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: IBA GRADUATION CELEBRATION FRIDAY, MAY 5TH 4-6PM Last year’s graduating seniors pictured (right)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2 3, 4 5 5

Winter Retreat, Training on identifying Imposter Syndrome IBA students plan to do research abroad after graduation IBA Scholar Symposium, Undergraduates present their research Highlights from the IINSPIRE LSAMP Program

Lorem Ipsum

Reactions to the WINTER retreat from IBA students Freshman Camille Jaime “For me, the retreat was shockingly relatable. I had never heard of Imposter Syndrome, but that presentation made me realize how much I fit its description.

When the speaker mentioned procrastination to avoid failure as one of the symptoms, I had to laugh because that exactly describes me, and I never knew it.

I think their suggestion to develop a new reaction to failure is very helpful and is something I am currently trying out, to see failure not as the worst but a lesson to do better next time.”

Sophomore Ashley Segura-Roman “The IBA Winter Retreat was helpful in learning about and recognizing Imposter Syndrome within ourselves. Through this retreat I learned that Imposter Syndrome is a pretty common thing that many go through, and it is reassuring to know that.”

Junior Jorge Moreno “Through our discussion about Imposter Syndrome, I learned that feeling out of place and as if I was never doing enough, was something that my peers may also be going through.”

Senior Paul Taufalele “The retreat provided a great space for students to socialize and enjoy a healthy discussion about Impostor Syndrome. I had never heard of Impostor Syndrome before the retreat, but had certainly felt it to some degree. I learned that overwhelming majorities of people feel inadequate despite their achievements at some point in their lives. Awareness of the syndrome is the first step in overcoming and I hope to keep this awareness with me as I move forward into graduate studies. These IBA events provide beneficial information as well as camaraderie among the students and faculty. Pursuing graduate studies is a difficult task and a proper emotional support system is key to success.”

Winter Retreat: Discussions on imposter syndrome Affecting Students IBA holds an annual Winter Retreat

January 9th at the Iowa Memorial

that includes presentations and

Union, featured a presentation from

discussions on issues that could affect

the University of Iowa Counseling

students now or as they prepare for

Service on Imposter Syndrome. From

graduate school. Previous topics at

their presentation, students learned

these retreats have included training in

that, “Imposter Syndrome is insecurity

cultural competency, ethics, social

about being in a professional or

justice, diversity consciousness and

academic setting that involves: feeling

bystander intervention. This year’s

that one lacks the necessary

retreat, which took place Sunday,

experience, feeling that one is not smart enough to do the work, and anxiety that others will realize these things and discover the person is a fraud.” Common signs of Imposter Syndrome include “depression and anxiety, low selfesteem or confidence and avoidance of work or work-related responsibilities.”

Photos by IBA Marketing Coordinator, Steve Kehoe

3

iba students pursue graduate degrees abroad Seniors Timothy Fuqua and

institution,” Fuqua said. McCarty

Nicholas McCarty, both

is looking forward to collaborating

graduating in May, will be

with scientists from different

pursuing graduate degrees abroad.

backgrounds. “I wanted to have a

Fuqua will be pursuing a four-year

new experience, both culturally

PhD at The European Molecular

and scientifically. The UK will

Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in

present me with a phenomenal

Heidelberg, Germany. McCarty

opportunity to engage with other

will be pursuing a one-year

researchers in an international

masters degree and is deciding

setting. I am hopeful that this will

between Imperial College London

foster ongoing connections

and the University of Cambridge.

overseas and enhance the research

Both students decided to look for opportunities abroad because they

I perform down the line,” McCarty said.

Photo that Fuqua took of EMBL during his interview week in Heidelberg, Germany.

wanted a new experience. “I also

The impressive faculty and

applied to a lot of schools within

innovative research attracted

throughout the application process.

the United States, however, after

Fuqua and McCarty when deciding

IBA covered the costs so that Fuqua

EMBL took me to interview, I

where to apply. “Ultimately [I]

could go to The Allied Genetics

immediately knew I wanted to

decided to go abroad because of

Conference where he met his future

study abroad. I was blown away by

the faculty members that I would

Principal Investigator who

the cutting-edge science at the

have an opportunity to work with.

encouraged him to apply to EMBL.

facilities, the diversity, and

Imperial College London is a

collaboration going on in Europe,”

world leader in synthetic biology

Fuqua said.

and metabolic engineering – a field

The diversity within the program was an important aspect for both Fuqua and McCarty. “During my interview at EMBL, the applicants were from 15 different countries, scattered on every continent (besides Antarctica). This is what I love about EMBL the most, the inclusion and diversity at the

that I am eager to explore. This played a big role in my decision.

University of Cambridge also has a stellar biochemistry department and mastery of drug design and

The people who helped McCarty during his application process were Director of Scholar Development Kelly Thornburg, Fulbright Program Advisor Dr. Karen Wachsmuth, and Dr. Christopher Squier, who read through his applications and recommended programs in the UK.

crystallography. Both of these are appealing to me, but for different

Fuqua leaves the US in July and

reasons,” McCarty said.

McCarty will be leaving in

IBA has been very helpful to Fuqua

September. The hardest thing for McCarty to leave behind is his

Lorem Ipsum

(Top) At left, Fuqua in lab doing research.

At right, the campus of EMBL. (Bottom) At left, McCarty with group of students checking out Oxford. At right, a view of Heidelberg, Germany from Fuqua’s visit.

research project. “I have grown very

salary. If you are thinking about

is the primary language spoken at

fond of glucose trafficking,” McCarty

applying to an international program,

the facilities. Do not let a language

said. The hardest thing for Fuqua to

you need to ask about these things,

barrier be an excuse for studying

leave behind is the friends he has

because otherwise moving is going to

outside of the US,” Fuqua said. “If

made at the University of Iowa.

be incredibly expensive and

you get the interview, most facilities

“While I know that I will see many of

stressful,” Fuqua said.

reimburse your travel and

them again, it was a surreal moment after I booked a one-way ticket to a country on the other side of the world,” Fuqua said. Fuqua added that EMBL is helping to make the transition a smooth one. “[EMBL is] paying for my travel to get back to Heidelberg, providing housing for me in their pre-furnished guest home for my first year, and has given me a start-up fund in addition to my

Both Fuqua and McCarty have advice for students considering doing research abroad after they graduate.

“Start early and seek out help frequently,” McCarty said. Fuqua recommends not letting the language or expense stop interested students

accommodation, so finances should not be a concern for applying.

Additionally, Europe is doing incredible research in the basic biological sciences, and I think you should keep an open mind to getting out of your comfort zone in the US.”

from exploring universities outside of

As Fuqua and McCarty get ready for

the US. “Many international PhD

a new adventure, they each are

programs are taught in English, and it

looking forward to the new

5

experiences they will have abroad. “I

McCarty is planning to explore the

am most looking forward to doing

history while in the UK. “I am really

cutting-edge research at EMBL. The

looking forward to exploring some

Heidelberg station for EMBL has been

of the Roman ruins in the UK,”

acclaimed as "Europe's Flagship

McCarty said. “I have taken several

Research Station" and they take that

roman history courses just for fun,

title very seriously. The facilities thus

and it is a topic I enjoy learning

have cutting-edge technology,

about. I can’t wait to see some of

including super-resolution

the old temples to the god Mithras

microscopes. Their title also means

and wall structures in London (the

that many conferences and important

Romans named the town

scientific events are held at EMBL,

Londinium). I am also eager to

where I hear it is not uncommon to

experience a different culture, try

meet a Nobel Laureate,” Fuqua said.

new foods, and meet new people.”

IINSPIRE LSAMP PROGRAM 2016-2017 Annual Conference Cultivating STEM Identity for Student Success Feb. 3-4, 2017 This year’s conference featured participation from many IBA and LSAMP students and faculty: Preparing and Applying for Graduate School Session Moderator: Dr. Vincent Rodgers Panelists: Rondine Allen and Franklin Bright Making the Most of Your Research Experience Speaker Dr. Lori Adams Student Poster Presenters: Sean Easler and Brian Leal

Iowa Biosciences academy scholar

Conferences attended this Fall 2016

symposium

with the financial support of IBA:

The IBA Scholar Symposium was held December 3, 2016 in the Kollros

ABRCMS Nov. 8-11, Tampa, FL: junior

Auditorium. Presentations by upper classmen showcased the research they have

Angela Olvera

been working on. Topics presented by undergraduates at the symposium included: biology, physics, environmental health, nursing, pharmacology, biochemistry,

Autumn Immunology Conference Nov.

psychology and biomedical engineering. There were sixteen presenters in total

18-21, Chicago, IL: senior Maya Amjadi

representing ten different majors. Featured above is senior Nicholas McCarty giving a presentation on his work in Dr. Abel’s lab in the Department of Internal Medicine. Photo by IBA Marketing Coordinator, Steve Kehoe

Global Medical Microbiology Summit & Expo Nov. 28-30, San Diego, CA: graduate fellow Franklin Bright

IBA SOCIAL ACTIVITY: STUDENTS GO BOWLING (Top) Junior Angela

Got summer plans?

Consider applying for the

Olvera, junior William

Research Experiences for

Narhi-Martinez, junior

Undergraduates (REU) program

Nicole Cady and junior

that supports active research

Sadie Moore enjoy

participation by undergraduates

bowling together.

in any areas of research funded

(Bottom) IBA student

by the National Science

shows off her skills at the

Foundation. Find out more

bowling alley. The event

information about upcoming

took place Sunday, March

deadlines:

5th from 1-3pm at Colonial

https://www.nsf.gov/funding/

Lanes in Iowa City. Photos

pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5517

by Assistant Director Meaghan Rowe-Johnson.

March birthdays March 3 Maya Amjadi

March 7 Vincent Parra

March 18 Nicole Cady Not Pictured: March 11 Paul Taufalele March 17 Se Jin Kim March 30 Crystal Padilla

Microbiology: https://medicine.uiowa.edu/microbiology/events Biology: https://biology.uiowa.edu/about/seminars

SEMINARS BY DEPARTMENT

Physics: https://physics.uiowa.edu/resources/events/calendar Chemistry: https://chem.uiowa.edu/news/colloquium-seminar-schedule Psychology: https://psychology.uiowa.edu/ Biochemistry: https://medicine.uiowa.edu/biochemistry/news-events/seminars